Kim Jong-Un, the leader of North Korea, and the Mexican drug baron Joaquin "El
Chapo" Guzman, have been named among the most powerful people in the
world by Forbes magazine.

The 29-year-old North Korean dictator was ranked 44th on the annual list after taking over from his late father Kim Jong-Il in the hermit state.

Considering his god-like status in North Korea, and his nation's nuclear ambitions, the young ruler may have expected to be placed higher, but Forbes said some observers believe one of his uncles is actually in charge.

It noted that satellite footage shows a half kilometre-long message praising Kim carved into a hillside in his "reclusive, rusting nuclear state".

Guzman, whose nickname "Shorty" refers to his 5ft 6ins frame, is the billionaire leader of the Sinaloa cartel, which is responsible for many of the illegal narcotics entering the United States. He was ranked 63rd.

US President Barack Obama headed the list for the second year in a row, followed by German chancellor Angela Merkel, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.